Building Success Through Networking in Furniture & Décor Furniture Success Podcast w Michael Imperatore

What Furniture Retailers Don't Know About Repair | Nathan Voelz on Fresh Furniture

In this episode of the Furniture Success Podcast, host Ahmet Yavuz from Furniture Marketing Pros sits down with Nathan Voelz, founder of Fresh Furniture, an in home furniture repair and refinishing business based in the Milwaukee area. Nathan shares his unconventional path from a painting and drawing degree to furniture sanding, cabinet making, spray finishing, and eventually running his own mobile repair operation. From working extended warranty jobs to building a loyal local customer base, Nathan opens up about the real challenges of going solo, why he nearly lost customers with an AI answering service, and what every furniture owner should know before calling a repair tech. GUEST 📩 Nathan Voelz – Fresh Furniture 🌐 Website: https://freshfurnituremke.com [https://freshfurnituremke.com] 📞 Phone: (414) 534-1213 📍 West Allis, WI — Serving Greater Southeastern WI Area 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fresh-furniture-02954b45/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fresh-furniture-02954b45/] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshfurnituremke [https://www.facebook.com/freshfurnituremke] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshfurnituremke/ [https://www.instagram.com/freshfurnituremke/] HOST 📩 Ahmet Yavuz – Furniture Marketing Pros 🌐 Website: https://furnituremarketingpros.com [https://furnituremarketingpros.com] 📞 Call: 973-832-0923 📧 Email: ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com 📘 Facebook: / furnituremarketingpros 📸 Instagram: / furnituremarketingpros 💼 LinkedIn: / furniture-marketing-pros 👉 Apply for your FREE 1:1 Furniture Store Acceleration Session: https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] 📥 Download your FREE Marketing Checklist: https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist] 🎧 Listen to the Furniture Success Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaB... [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaB] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast] YouTube: / @furniture_marketing_pros ⏱️ Timestamps (Highlights): 00:00 Welcome and Nathan's background in furniture 01:41 From Sears to cabinet making: the early career path 07:31 Why repairs stuck: independence over the shop floor 09:30 Starting Fresh Furniture as a business owner 12:25 Supporting local suppliers and building relationships 13:44 Most common repairs: electronics, motors and discontinued parts 14:52 What can be fixed vs. what should be replaced 18:16 What furniture is built to last (mid tier pricing guide) 22:36 How Nathan works with furniture stores and retailers 24:26 How retailers handle delivery damage and warranty repairs 27:08 Partnering with online furniture sellers: the opportunity 31:42 Competing with national repair chains as a local one man shop 33:43 How Nathan prices and estimates jobs 35:59 Are more people choosing repair over replace? 37:17 Local SEO, Google reviews and getting found by AI search 38:22 One thing every furniture owner should know (zippers!) 43:32 Nathan's AI answering service experiment and what went wrong 47:23 AI, voice cloning and the future of customer service 48:26 Work life balance, curling and Midwest culture 51:35 Advice for anyone starting a furniture repair business 💬 What's your biggest takeaway from Nathan's story? Drop a comment and subscribe for more real conversations with furniture industry pros! #FurnitureSuccessPodcast #FurnitureRepair #FurnitureBusiness #FreshFurniture #FurnitureMarketing #SmallBusiness #MilwaukeeSmallBusiness #FurnitureIndustry

Inventing Happy Hour Hero: A Product Journey | Furniture Success Podcast w/ Brad Voosen

Furniture Success Podcast — Brad Voosen (Happy Hour Hero) In this episode, Ahmet Yavuz chats with Brad Voosen, inventor of Happy Hour Hero — the innovative adjustable armrest organizer transforming outdoor comfort. Brad shares how a simple backyard idea became a patented product now catching the attention of major furniture brands. From 3D printing and manufacturing to e-commerce and marketing, his story offers real-world lessons for inventors and entrepreneurs alike. 🔗 Guest Links * 🌐 hhhero.com [https://hhhero.com] * 💼 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradvoosen/] * 📧 brad@hhhero.com [brad@hhhero.com] * 🛒 Also on thegrommet.com [https://www.thegrommet.com] 🚀 Work With Furniture Marketing Pros * 🎯 Free 1:1 Acceleration Session [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] * 📥 Free Marketing Checklist [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist] 🎧 Listen to the Podcast * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaBRauVsjeYCVqALfD] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/furniture-success-podcast/id1802933876] * YouTube [https://youtube.com/@Furniture_Marketing_Pros] 📺 More Episodes * Podcast Playlist [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2TOYaXkiVwZzXpPgoQ5BTsM] * Webinars [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2SFUfdOLShQFSNMHkv_Fy7y] 📞 Contact Ahmet Yavuz * 📞 973-832-0923 [tel:+19738320923] * 📧 ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com [ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com] * 📅 Book a Strategy Call [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] * 🎙️ Podcast Booking [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/podcast-booking] ⏱️ Highlights * 00:00 – Brad’s story & first invention * 03:30 – How Happy Hour Hero was born * 09:48 – From prototype to manufacturing * 14:45 – Design & engineering challenges * 18:08 – Why Shopify won for e-commerce * 21:12 – Advice for aspiring inventors * 27:14 – Growth plans & investments * 32:32 – Partnering with furniture brands * 38:13 – Overcoming criticism & staying creative * 42:30 – Where to buy Happy Hour Hero 💬 Have questions or ideas? Reach out to Brad or connect with Ahmet for marketing strategies and podcast collaborations. #FurnitureSuccessPodcast #HappyHourHero #FurnitureInnovation #ProductDesign #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #OutdoorFurniture #FurnitureMarketing #InventorLife

How Sherry Grew Ralph’s Interiors Into a Design Destination | Furniture Success Podcast

In this episode of the Furniture Success Podcast, host Ahmet Yavuz sits down with Sherry Alfaro, the creative mind and business owner behind Ralph’s Interiors, a well-known interior design shop based in Los Angeles. Sherry shares how she took over her father’s business and grew it into a trusted name in LA’s design scene — all through referrals, personalized service, and a deep focus on client-first values. She dives into the importance of listening, showing up with empathy, and why doing business the right way still works today. If you're an interior designer, small business owner, or looking to grow your home decor brand through relationship-based marketing, this episode will inspire you. 🔗 Guest Links * 📸 Instagram: ralphsinteriors [https://www.instagram.com/ralphsinteriors/] * 🖼 Pinterest: interiorsralphs [https://www.pinterest.com/interiorsralphs/] * 📘 Facebook: Ralph’s Interiors [https://www.facebook.com/ralphsinteriors/] * 🌐 Website: ralphsinteriors.net [https://ralphsinteriors.net/] * 💼 LinkedIn: Sherry Alfaro [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-alfaro-2454715/] 🚀 Resources * 👉 Free 1:1 Furniture Store Acceleration Session [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] * 📥 Download Free Marketing Checklist [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist] 🎧 Listen * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaBRauVsjeYCVqALfD] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/furniture-success-podcast/id1802933876] * YouTube [https://youtube.com/@Furniture_Marketing_Pros] 📺 More Episodes & Webinars * Podcast Playlist [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2TOYaXkiVwZzXpPgoQ5BTsM] * Marketing Webinars [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2SFUfdOLShQFSNMHkv_Fy7y] 📞 Contact Ahmet Yavuz * 📞 Call: 973-832-0923 [tel:+19738320923] * 📧 Email: ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com [ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com] * 📅 Strategy Call [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule?_gl=1*xtbwad*_gcl_au*MTMyMjE5ODAxNy4xNzU5NDY5MjU0] * 🎙️ Podcast Booking [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/podcast-booking] ⏱️ Timestamps * 00:00 – Sherry’s journey from daughter to business owner * 03:15 – Early days of Ralph’s Interiors & first big changes * 06:45 – Transitioning into full-service interior design * 10:40 – Finding her voice & vision in a competitive market * 13:20 – Challenges of being woman-led in a male-dominated space * 16:50 – Why she refuses to cut corners for profit * 19:35 – Building long-term client relationships through trust * 23:10 – Staying inspired & following design trends * 27:05 – Expanding beyond window coverings * 31:00 – Why her mission is bigger than design * 34:20 – Advice for young designers & entrepreneurs * 38:00 – Vision for the next chapter of Ralph’s Interiors #FurnitureSuccessPodcast #RalphsInteriors #InteriorDesignBusiness #WomenInBusiness #DesignEntrepreneur #FurnitureMarketing #FurnitureStoreSuccess #CustomInteriors #SouthTexasDesign #AhmetYavuz

From Herman Miller to STRE Designs | Nicholas Ostrem on Furniture Success Podcast with Ahmet Yavuz

In this episode of the Furniture Success Podcast, host Ahmet Yavuz of Furniture Marketing Pros sits down with Nicholas Ostrem, founder of STRE Designs, to share his journey from model maker at Herman Miller to launching his own design and machining company. Nicholas reveals how he started STRE Designs from a two-car garage with a single CNC machine, lessons from corporate design, and what it took to launch during COVID-19. Packed with insights on craftsmanship, resilience, and running a niche business, this episode is a must-listen for designers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs. 📩 Connect with Nicholas Ostrem * 🌐 stredesigns.com [https://www.stredesigns.com/] * 📧 nick_ostrem@stredesigns.com [nick_ostrem@stredesigns.com] * 🔗 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-ostrem-2b4a74112/] 📩 Contact Furniture Marketing Pros | Host Ahmet Yavuz * 🌐 furnituremarketingpros.com [https://furnituremarketingpros.com] * 📞 973-832-0923 [tel:+19738320923] * 📘 Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/furnituremarketingpros] * 📸 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/furnituremarketingpros] * 💼 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/furniture-marketing-pros/] Free Resources * 👉 Free 1:1 Acceleration Session [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] * 📥 Download Checklist [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist] 🎧 Listen * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaBRauVsjeYCVqALfD] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/furniture-success-podcast/id1802933876] * YouTube [https://youtube.com/@Furniture_Marketing_Pros] 📺 More Episodes & Webinars * Podcast Playlist [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2TOYaXkiVwZzXpPgoQ5BTsM] * Marketing Webinars [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-DqzoFkiB2SFUfdOLShQFSNMHkv_Fy7y] ⏱️ Highlights * 00:00 – Journey from Minneapolis to Herman Miller * 03:00 – Starting STRE Designs in a garage with one CNC * 06:30 – Getting laid off during COVID & going all-in * 09:10 – Why STRE focuses on prototyping & machining * 12:30 – Challenges of running a small shop * 18:00 – Lessons from Herman Miller’s design process * 23:00 – Collaborating with designers for feasibility * 27:00 – Navigating seasonality & slowdowns * 33:00 – Quality assurance & client communication * 41:00 – Innovation, AI & the future of design 💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Nicholas’s story? Subscribe for more insights from leaders shaping the furniture world. #FurnitureSuccessPodcast #FurnitureDesign #STREDesigns #FurnitureBusiness #FurnitureMarketing

Timeless Design & Lessons from 18 Years in Furniture | Brian Hurvitz on Furniture Success Podcast

FURNITURE SUCCESS PODCAST — BRIAN HURVITZ (DESIGNER & CUSTOM FURNITURE MAKER) In this episode of the Furniture Success Podcast, host Ahmet Yavuz from Furniture Marketing Pros sits down with Brian Hurvitz, a seasoned designer with nearly two decades of experience in custom furniture and product design. Brian shares how he transitioned from automotive design to furniture, the importance of bespoke craftsmanship, and what he’s learned from balancing corporate roles with running his own high-end custom shop. From failures that became turning points to the value of mentorship and timeless design, this conversation is packed with insights for both furniture makers and entrepreneurs. 📩 CONNECT WITH BRIAN HURVITZ * 📧 Email: bhurvitzdesign@gmail.com [bhurvitzdesign@gmail.com] * 🔗 LinkedIn: Brian Hurvitz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hurvitz] 📩 CONTACT AHMET YAVUZ — FURNITURE MARKETING PROS * 🌐 Website: furnituremarketingpros.com [https://furnituremarketingpros.com] * 📞 Call: 973-832-0923 [tel:+19738320923] * 📧 Email: ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com [ahmet@furnituremarketingpros.com] * 📘 Facebook: Furniture Marketing Pros on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/furnituremarketingpros] * 📸 Instagram: @furnituremarketingpros [https://www.instagram.com/furnituremarketingpros] * 💼 LinkedIn: Furniture Marketing Pros [https://www.linkedin.com/company/furniture-marketing-pros/] FREE RESOURCES * 👉 Apply for a FREE 1:1 Furniture Store Acceleration Session: Schedule here [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/schedule] * 📥 Download your FREE Marketing Checklist: Get the checklist [https://go.furnituremarketingpros.com/checklist] 🎧 LISTEN TO THE FURNITURE SUCCESS PODCAST * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5X7jzaBRauVsjeYCVqALfD] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/furniture-success-podcast/id1802933876] * YouTube [https://youtube.com/@Furniture_Marketing_Pros] ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (HIGHLIGHTS) * 00:00 – Brian’s journey from engineering to furniture design * 02:30 – Discovering passion for furniture at CCS in Detroit * 06:30 – Why bespoke furniture beats mass production * 10:20 – The $3,000 reception desk challenge and recovery * 15:45 – Hard lessons learned without a website or social media * 18:30 – Why mentorship matters in design and business * 21:50 – Tech & design: 3D printing, AI, and future possibilities * 23:50 – The all-in-one DJ desk project with built-in audio & power * 27:40 – How Brian handles failures and tough clients * 31:20 – The future of custom furniture and industry challenges 💬 What’s your favorite insight from Brian? Drop a comment below and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of furniture and design. #FurnitureSuccessPodcast #FurnitureDesign #CustomFurniture #FurnitureBusiness #FurnitureMarketing #DesignLeadership